Bolsover Castle

Bolsover Castle is an exceptional 17th-century castle, containing striking wall-paintings and interiors. Begun in 1612 by Charles Cavendish, it was enlarged and enhanced by his son, William, who completed the decoration of the interiors and added the Terrace and Riding House Ranges. In 1634, William entertained Charles I and Henrietta Maria at Bolsover, when the entertainment 'Love's Welcome', written by Ben Jonson, was performed in the garden. By the 18th century, much of the Terrace Range had fallen into ruins. In the 19th century, however, there was a renewed interest in Bolsover's Jacobean interiors and the castle was finally rescued by the Ministry of Works in the early 20th century. Today, the gardens have been restored and the wall-walk has been reopened, allowing visitors to enjoy the views for the first time since the 18th century. This brand new guidebook sheds light on Bolsover's history and also provides a tour of the castle buildings. It is illustrated with specially commissioned photography, two brand new reconstruction drawings, new phased plans and historical images.